8 best motown hits

Motown hits refer to a collection of popular songs produced by Motown Records, a highly influential American record label that played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of soul and R&B music. Motown Records was founded in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr.The label achieved remarkable success in the 1960s and 1970s, and its hits continue to be celebrated and cherished by music enthusiasts around the world. Here's what you need to know about Motown hits:

  1. Motown Records:

    • Motown Records is often referred to as "Hitsville U.S.A." due to its reputation for producing numerous chart-topping songs. It was a significant player in the soul and R&B music scenes during the mid-20th century.
  2. Soul and R&B Music:

    • Motown's signature sound was characterized by a blend of soul and R&B elements. It featured catchy melodies, tight vocal harmonies, and rhythmically engaging instrumentation.
  3. Legendary Artists:

    • Motown was home to a roster of iconic artists, including:
      • The Supremes
      • Marvin Gaye
      • Stevie Wonder
      • The Temptations
      • The Jackson 5
      • Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
      • Diana Ross
      • Gladys Knight & The Pips
      • Four Tops
      • Martha and the Vandellas
  4. Hits and Chart-Toppers:

    • Motown artists produced a string of chart-topping hits that became classics. Some well-known Motown hits include "My Girl" by The Temptations, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Diana Ross, and "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder.
  5. Production and Songwriting Team:

    • Motown had a talented in-house production and songwriting team known as "The Funk Brothers" and "The Corporation." These teams were responsible for crafting many of the label's hit songs.
  6. Impact on Popular Music:

    • Motown's success had a profound impact on popular music, breaking racial barriers in the music industry and influencing generations of artists in various genres.
  7. Vinyl and CDs:

    • Motown hits are available on various formats, including vinyl records and CDs. Vintage Motown vinyl records are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
  8. Legacy and Recognition:

    • Motown's contributions to music have been widely recognized. The label and its artists have received numerous awards, and the Motown sound continues to influence contemporary music.

Motown hits have left an enduring legacy in the world of music. The label's songs are known for their timeless quality and ability to evoke feelings of joy, nostalgia, and dance-worthy energy. Whether you're a fan of soul, R&B, or just great music in general, Motown hits remain a cherished part of musical history.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best motown hits on the market
  

Motown Classics Gold [2 CD]

Unknown

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Product description

40 irresistible, irreplaceable Motown classics, 28 of 'em #1 hits: Where Did Our Love Go Supremes; My Guy Mary Wells; Shop Around Miracles; My Girl Temptations; Shotgun Jr. Walker; The Tracks of My Tears Miracles; Reach Out I'll Be There Four Tops; What's Going On Marvin Gaye; I Want You Back Jackson 5; War Edwin Starr; It's a Shame Spinners, and more!

101 Motown Anthems / Various

Spectrum

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Product description

101 Motown Anthems Various Artists INCLUDING The Jackson 5, The Supremes, Martha & the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Isley Brothers, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Lionel Richie

Motown Greatest Hits (3 CD Set)

Universal Import

Based on 670 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Import 3 CD set. Features 60 tracks in all. Universal. 2019.

Motown: The Complete No. 1's [11 CD Box Set]

Motown

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Product description

The Complete No. 1's includes Motown's biggest hits in one special 11-CD package featuring classic songs that were No. 1 on multiple charts in the U.S. and around the world. Artists include Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, the Temptations, the Jackson 5, the Commodores, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Four Tops, Boyz II Men, and many more. Housed in a replica of the original Hitsville Motown building, the box also includes a 100-page photo book with an introduction by Smokey Robinson, who was responsible for 20 Motown No. 1's, plus rare and classic images and detailed annotations. Updated for Motown's 60th in 2019, the set also includes 12 bonus tracks – the songs whose cover versions were No. 1, from Martha & the Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street" (No. 1 for David Bowie and Mick Jagger) to Stevie Wonder's original "Pastime Paradise" (adopted as Coolio feat. L.V.'s "Gangsta's Paradise,") Disc 11 is a newly curated bonus disc featuring updated No. 1's and bonus tracks.

Motown - The Musical - Originals [2 CD][Special Edition]

Motown

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Product description

As the perfect companion piece to Motown: The Musical, this special two-disc, expanded version features over 20 additional tracks to the single disc version including Motown's very first national hit, 'Money (That's What I Want)' by Barrett Strong. This 1960 hit single was co-written by Gordy and helped fund the purchase of the iconic white framed house, Hitsville U.S.A., that served as a twenty-four hour hit-making and artist development factory, fostering the artistic talent of the singers, writers, producers as well as corporate executives, and was headquarters for the next decade.

Motown Chartbusters / Various

Universal Music Operations

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Product description

1LP featuring 16 of the biggest soul hits from the iconic Motown label. Including the likes of Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and many more

MOTOWN 60 Greatest Hits (3 CD Boxset)

Motown

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Disc 1

Heard It Through the Grapevine*M. Gaye

This Old Heart of Mine*Isleys

What Becomes of the Brokenhearted*J. Ruffin

My Girl*Temptations

Baby I Need Your Loving*4 Tops

Baby Love*Supremes

You Really Got a Hold on Me*Miracles

I Want You Back*Jackson 5

Tracks of My Tears*Miracles

Tune Up*Jr. Walker

Please Mr. Postman*Marvelettes

Heatwave*Martha & Vandellas

Do You Love Me*Contours

Take Me in Your Arms*Kim Weston

I've Been Cheated*Daltons

Lonely, Lonely Girl Am I*Velvelettes

Baby a Go-Go*Barbara McNair

Think It Over*Brenda Holloway

Do I Love You*Chris Clark

Here Are the Pieces of My Broken Heart*Gladys Knight & Pips



Disc: 2

I Can't Help Myself*4 Tops

Dancing in the Street*Martha & Vandellas

Tears of a Clown*Miracles

It Takes Two*M. Gaye & Kim Weston

My Guy*Mary Wells

Heaven Must Have Sent You*Elgins

Ain't Too Proud to Beg*Temptations

Stop! in the Name of Love*Supremes

Shotgun*Jr. Walker

Just a Little Misunderstanding*Contours

My Weakness Is You*Edwin Starr

Signed, Sealed, Delivered*Stevie Wonder

What's Going on*M. Gaye

ABC*Jackson 5

My Love Is Your Love*Isleys

It's a Shame*Spinners

I'm Coming Out*Diana Ross

You Can't Stop a Man in Love*Reuben Howell

Machine Gun*Commodores



Disc: 3

Reach Out*4 Tops

Get Ready*Temptations

Nowhere to Run*Martha & Vandellas

Ain't No Mountain High Enough*M. Gaye & T. Terrell

Road Runner*Jr. Walker

The Night*4 Seasons

Stoned Love*Supremes

War*Edwin Starr

Don't Leave Me This Way*Thelma Houston

Love Machine*Miracles

Keep on Truckin'*E. Kendricks

Let's Get Serious*Jermaine Jackson

Upside Down*Diana Ross

Somebody's Watching Me*Rockwell

I'll Be There*Jackson 5

Let's Get It on*M. Gaye

Easy*Commodores

Got to Be There*Michael Jackson

Soul Hits Of The 70's

CUSTOM MARKETING GROUP

Based on 632 reviews Check latest price

Product description

More than Afros and bell-bottoms, the 1970s pushed music and music-lovers onto a new plane. Fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride.

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